About Me

Rocky the Rescue Kitten helps me work on my blog.
Is Bikram yoga for Boomers? Bikram, or hot yoga, is a 90 minute session of 26 yoga poses done in a room where the temperature is at least 105 degrees. It is a very strenuous workout. I'm going to be 62 years old this month and, while I've never shied away from workouts before, most of my exercise comes from walking and yoga, water aerobics and tai chi classes at the YMCA, largely with other people my own age.

I tried Bikram about a year and a half ago through a Groupon. At the time, I was also attending the yoga class at the YMCA and after going to Bikram for a week, I decided I was happy with the less expensive yoga at the Y. Last May though, the class at the Y suddenly mushroomed to huge proportions and I just got tired of going and took the summer off.

Somehow, the Bikram classes I'd attended, stuck in my mind as a challenge I might be ready for now and I started watching for another Groupon so I could try it again. Sure enough, about a month ago, a discount coupon showed up.

So, here is my dilemma. The last time I tried the classes, I'd been doing yoga at the Y regularly for about 3 years and I was about 2 years younger. Now, I haven't been to a yoga class in nearly 6 months and I feel kind of out of shape with my 62nd birthday looming.

What I'm wondering is, can I really go and keep up with a bunch of 20 somethings in a strenuous yoga class? Will I pass out or end up sitting there the first class? Will I look like an idiot? Will there be other people there my age or will I look "old" to everybody there?

I should probably add a disclaimer here about my health. I do get regular physicals and I have no major health issues and don't take any medications. I do eat an extremely healthy diet and get exercise regularly, although I know I could use more aerobic exercise. I would advise anyone over age 50 to be sure and get a physical and talk to their doctor before starting a strenuous exercise program.

I wanted to start a blog about my experience with the Bikram class, whether I end up sticking with it or not. I thought it might urge other boomers and seniors to try something new and challenging.Along the way, I'll probably share some healthy recipes, eating and healthy living tips and stories about my 3 cats and 2 dogs and life in Texas.

If there is anybody out there who is over age 50 and either new to Bikram or an old hand, I'd love to hear from you about what Bikram has done for you and why you like it or why you don't like it.


1 comment:

  1. Hi Joan! Enjoyed reading this post and looking forward to reading about how the class goes. You are much braver than I! But I am inspired to get more active. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete